Every time we drive past here Princess says, "why
isn't there a cache there?", well she can't ask me that question
any more! This seems to be a popular meeting spot of the
local chapter of the Elk's Club and when I stopped by here today, I
noticed that 12 members were convening nearby. We'd be
interested to hear how may where there when you visited.
Special thanks to
Rocky for the gift of this container, it
has been placed in a location that he certainly would be
welcome!
The
elk, or wapiti (Cervus canadensis), is one of the
largest species
of deer
in the world and one of the largest
mammals
in North America
and eastern Asia
. In the deer family (Cervidae
), only the moose
, Alces alces (called an "elk" in Europe), is larger,
and Cervus
unicolor (the "Sambar" deer) can rival
the elk in size. Elk are almost identical to
Red Deer
found in Europe
, of which they were long believed to be a subspecies;
however, mitochondrial
DNA evidence from 2004 strongly suggests
they are a distinct species.
Elk
range in forest and forest-edge habitat, feeding on grasses,
plants, leaves, and bark. Although native to North America and
eastern Asia, they have adapted well to countries where they have
been introduced, including New Zealand
and Argentina
. Their high level of adaptability poses a threat to
endemic
species and ecosystems where they have been
introduced.
Male elk have large
antlers
which are shed each year. Males engage in
ritualized mating behaviors during the
rut
, including posturing, antler wrestling, and bugling, a loud
series of screams which establishes dominance over other males and
attracts females. The bugle call is one of the most distinctive
calls in nature.
Elk
are susceptible to a number of infectious
diseases, some of which can be
transmitted to livestock. Efforts to eliminate infectious diseases
from elk populations, largely through vaccination, have had mixed
success.
Some cultures revere the elk as a
spiritual force. In parts of Asia, antlers and their
velvet
are used in
traditional
medicines. Elk are hunted as a game
species; the meat is leaner and higher in protein
than beef
or chicken
.